The African rift valley is one
of the most fascinating natural wonders, known for its unique biodiversity
and for being considered -for the important paleoanthropologic discoveries-
the "cradle of mankind", i.e. the place where our species
has evolved and diversified in the last millions of years. Characterized
by a system of linear valleys extending for thousands of kilometers,
the rift valley is a huge fracture on the surface of our planet
that progressively widens with time, tearing the eastern portion
of the African continent apart. It represents a geological wonder
where volcanism, earthquakes and fracturing of the Earth's crust
are the surface expressions of the enormous forces that shape our
planet. These web pages are dedicated to the analysis of the Ethiopian
sector of the African rift valley, an ideal natural laboratory to
analyze the evolution and dynamics of continental extension and
the rupture of lithospheric plates.